Difficulties Killing Prey

So I have this brand new male spider het albino. Really tiny little guy.

Last week he ate one (live) adult mouse for me with no problem. This week, however, he was unable to dispatch the mouse.

He struck at it and coiled strongly, and I let him keep trying for maybe 10-15 minutes because he kept readjusting and seemed to have a good grip on the mouse. Then the mouse got free, so I immediately snatched it up and euthanized it (too much bleeding to just put it back in the cage with other mice).

The snake seems fine, no visible wounds that I can see. He is, however, clearly exhausted and his jaw is still unhinged from what I can tell. I put the fresh killed mouse in his cage and am giving him some time to rest to see if he still wants it after he rests.

Does anyone have any advice? My rats should be giving me pinks by next week, so I will give him one of those instead, but I am of course worried about the little guy. Anything I should watch for? Tips for next time?

Wow, the moment after I hit submit I went to check on him again, and he's already nosing the dead mouse. :rolleyes:

He may think he killed it and eat it. Perhaps he is just not strong enough for that size mouse. I would def. try a rat fuzz next feeding.

feed him pre killed for a while...

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Originally Posted by Ladybugzcrunch

He may think he killed it and eat it. Perhaps he is just not strong enough for that size mouse. I would def. try a rat fuzz next feeding.

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Yeah, he did eat it. And he killed an adult mouse the week before, and this one is the same size. Maybe it was a mighty mouse. :confused:

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Originally Posted by womsterr

feed him pre killed for a while...

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I don't feed hatchlings prekilled until they are eating regularly for me.

I would try to stay on rats as prey, rat fuzzies and pups cant really fight back.... that way you have no issues converting later on in life, but if he is eating pre killed get him on frozen thawed.... I love my frozen thawed eaters

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Originally Posted by jjmitchell

I would try to stay on rats as prey, rat fuzzies and pups cant really fight back.... that way you have no issues converting later on in life, but if he is eating pre killed get him on frozen thawed.... I love my frozen thawed eaters

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Yeah, since he ate the pre-killed I will probably try a pre-killed rat pink next time. At least I will have plenty live on hand in case he refuses. I also much prefer rats, besides being less dangerous, they also are more nutritious for ball pythons because of the higher fat content. It's just much harder to come by rat pinks for me.